Of course the main question of the evening…will I get a decent night’s sleep? I doubt it…

I still haven’t heard from my vet’s office as to the time of the exam. As I live about 5 hours from this barn, I’m probably not going to be there for it. It’s a shame really, as I have a new digital camera waiting to take pictures of the new family member. I will know for sure in the morning.

We leave for Florida Saturday. I have had ice for feet all week. Time for warmth….

I’m back to Mueseler’s “Riding Logic” again. Such a good book….may be my favorite of all the “old” and “not so old” Dressage Masters. Although, now that I’m thinking about it, I am equally fond of Podhajsky….they are both very readable despite some rather stiff translations of the material.

One of my favorite devices of “Riding Logic” is how Mueseler has these boxed illustrations….every once in a while as you read you come upon a box without a picture. Instead, he’ll have a text. There are two examples I take very much to heart as they represent how I have “felt,” in every sense of the word, during my learning process. There’s a box #2 named, “The Correct Seat.” on page 11 of my edition that reads: “Deliberately, no sketch is shown of a ‘correct seat’ as much too much harm can result from over-emphasising an ideal in purely graphic depiction. Balance, Relaxation, Following the horse’s movements cannot really be shown graphically, nor ‘feeling’ described…”

What’s wonderful is that this ‘ illustration box’ depicts the bones of a great discussion of a so-called regulation ‘correct seat” that trainers are often guilty of pushing: a “prototype” seat…which can actually do more harm than good! I finished that chapter thinking about all my stiffness’ that various trainers attributed to my starting riding as an adult. Mueseler has a spirited discussion about how the stiffness grows out of forcing a rider into a ‘prescribed position”….makes you think hard about how force applies negatively to the rider as well as the horse! How much of my lack of independence in my seat is a result of being made to conform to an idealized picture…? He talks of heel position, bracing the back, tons of things…such a ‘must” read!

The other non-illustration box # 33, page 72 is titled: “How a Horse looks which is listening to the aids.” And inside Mueseler writes: “No illustration of a horse listening to the aids is given in order to avoid a wrong emphasis on external appearance. HARMONY between HORSE AND RIDER does not exist in time as might be caught by an isolated sketch. It is best expressed, not by the horse having a special carriage, but by the complete and constant accord of two living bodies in every moment.”

I find that beautifully said.

Wouldn’t it be nice if some of our judges were required to memorize stuff like this?

No matter the outcome tomorrow….even if this horse doesn’t pass…I am so grateful for these last two weeks. I’ve been reading, watching videos, and studying. I’m journaling here. I’ve been doing an honest evaluation of my capabilities as a rider. I’ve focused on some of my insecurities handling a young horse….just soul searching, I guess!

But it all translates into what I can bring to my horses and my riding….so thanks, Christmas Horse!

My husband is back to the city, so it’s just me and the dogs hanging out at our country place. Did some on-line Christmas shopping…..I’m a bit stumped for some presents, but I’m sure more ideas will arrive…..

My shelties are so happy out here…..they chase animals, dig up dirt, enjoy the cold , they eat with a better appetite….they are plain, old happy and would love it if they never had to spend time in the city. They miss my husband, however, and always have an ear cocked or else rest near doorways in order to be immediately apprised of hubby’s arrival. They are pretty happy at our Florida house as well…..it’s just the city they have no use for, although Sebastian will go anywhere I go and make the best of it. Sabrina is quite the little diva and lets us know when she is not pleased with her environment!

This is a legitimate ramble as I really have nothing to share or tell. But I do feel like writing. I am quite distracted by awaiting the new horse and really hope I will settle down and focus once the vetting is through. I have such plans for this horse but be it the practical or the long-term theoretical, I can’t do anything but ponder our misty future until he’s been bought and paid for. I can’t even book transport to Florida for him until the deal is done. I just hate the “hurry up and wait” quality to it all! I’m such a kid still about this stuff.

Have been reading and watching DVD’s on training. Along with “Riding Logic,” I’m rereading Steinbrecht’s “The Gymnasium of the Horse,” Seunig’s “Horsemanship,” Podhajsky’s “My Horses, My Teachers,” and Schoffman’s “Klaus Balkenhol: The Man and His Training Methods.” Balkenhol is a newer idol of mine. I have been aware of him for quite some time, of course. But his DVD’s, along with his Xenophon Club have really made me into a fan. I am particularly fond of his recent trilogy on training and watch them over and over…I’ve audited a couple of his clinics in Florida and I am so impressed with his point of view and his very humane way of training! No rollkur in his program!!!

There is a quote from the inner liner of his book jacket that I like very much : “I don’t believe classical dressage and competitive dressage oppose each other. Rather, I believe they form a symbiosis.” I believe this is the direction dressage has to take….it’s a great book and I highly recommend it. Of course the others I referred to belong in every horse person’s library.

Sebastian

So just now, I’m jumping about in my books, gleaning info that will help me train my new horse in an age appropriate way.No rushing, as I want to have this horse a long, long time. And I have also pre-forgiven myself if I have to hire support to get us through our first year together…if I’m not feeling confident and riding forward enough, I will definitely get someone up on him to do the job the right way!

Except for trying the Christmas horse, I haven’t ridden since before Thanksgiving when I was last in Florida. I miss my mares so much. This much down time from riding is not good for my psyche at all. I become prey to fears and doubts of future success in competition, I eat too much and exercise too little! And you don’t need to tell me there is no excuse for this. But it happens….I think lots of competitive or driven people must have a bit of manic-depressive tendency in them! At least I hope I’m not alone anyway!!!